What if valley fever

Your risk for infection could increase if you will be in a very dusty setting, but even then the risk is still low. If you have questions about your risk of getting Valley fever while traveling, talk to your healthcare provider. Usually not. Some people can have the infection come back again a relapse after getting better the first time, but this is very rare.

Pets, particularly dogs, can get valley fever, but it is not contagious between animals and people. Valley fever in dogs is similar to valley fever in humans.

Dogs that do develop symptoms often have symptoms that include coughing, lack of energy, and weight loss. Recommendations about what to do in the event of a laboratory exposure external icon have been published. If you develop symptoms of Valley fever, contact your healthcare provider.

People who live in these areas can try to avoid spending time in dusty places as much as possible. People who are at risk for severe Valley fever such as people who have weakened immune systems, pregnant women, people who have diabetes, or people who are Black or Filipino may be able to lower their chances of developing the infection by trying to avoid breathing in the fungal spores.

The following are some common-sense methods that may be helpful to avoid getting Valley fever. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Valley fever, but scientists have been trying to make one since the s. Most people with valley fever get better without treatment. For severe cases, doctors may prescribe antifungal medicines. People who are more likely to have the disease spread to other areas of the body often get antifungal medicines even if they have no symptoms.

To make sure you are getting better, it's important to have follow-up visits with your doctor. You may have a chest X-ray or another blood test after several months to make sure. There is no medicine to prevent valley fever. But you may be able to stay away from areas where valley fever is common. Current as of: September 23, Russo MD - Internal Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Like many other fungi, coccidioides species have a complex life cycle. In the soil, they grow as a mold with long filaments that break off into airborne spores when the soil is disturbed. A person can then inhale the spores. The spores are extremely small and can be carried far by the wind. Once inside the lungs, the spores reproduce, continuing the disease cycle. Environmental exposure. Anyone who inhales the spores that cause valley fever is at risk of infection. People who live in areas where the fungi are common—especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors — have a greater risk.

Also, people who have jobs that expose them to dust are most at risk — construction, road and agricultural workers, ranchers, archaeologists, and military personnel on field exercises. If you live in or visit areas where valley fever is common, take common-sense precautions, especially during the summer months when the chance of infection is highest.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides kok-sid-e-OY-deze organisms. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. If weight loss and night sweats continue, infiltrates in the lungs enlarge, and the inability to work persists, antifungal medication usually is considered.

Dissemination is the spread of the fungal infection from the lungs to other parts of the body. The most common sites of dissemination in Valley Fever are skin, bones, joints and brain meninges.

Cocci meningitis is the most lethal. While there are no racial or gender differences in susceptibility or who contracts the primary infection, there are differences in risk of dissemination.

Men have a higher rate of dissemination than women. African Americans and Filipinos have several times higher rate of dissemination. A person is immunocompromised when his or her immune system the body's defense against disease is not intact. Usually the body is able to fight the fungus and recover without medication. If the immune system is compromised, it is unable to control the infection and allows the infection to spread from the lungs to other organs.

The spread of infection from the lungs to other parts of the body is called dissemination. The risk is probably no greater than for anyone else. If you are particularly concerned about getting Valley Fever, try to avoid activities associated with dust and airborne dirt of native desert soil. Stay indoors during dust storms. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy are at a high risk of developing disseminated Valley Fever due to normal hormonal changes that cause a decrease in function of the immune system.

However, most pregnant women with Valley Fever do fine. If you are pregnant and think you have Valley Fever, you should visit your physician. Valley Fever is rare in newborn babies. Most babies who get Valley Fever probably acquire it during or shortly after birth, through inhaling fungal spores from the environment.

In many cases the fungus does remain in the body. If the person's immune system is greatly immunocompromised, a reactivation of the disease may occur. Usually a life-time immunity is acquired from an infection which means you don't get it again.

However, occasionally, changes in the person's immune system brought about by other diseases or treatments which lower or suppress the immune system can allow a reactivation or re-infection.

Skip to main content. You are here Home » Valley Fever in People. But, there are general patterns that are different and can provide you clues: COVID is an emerging epidemic. The number of confirmed cases is on the rise and based on current projections, it is expected to peak in Arizona in the next couple of weeks. The risk for Valley fever is ever-present with seasonal fluctuations each year. As COVID hopefully declines over the coming months, the number of Valley fever cases are expected to increase into the summer.

COVID causes a more acute illness. In contrast, while Valley fever sometimes starts abruptly, it typically continues for weeks to several months before symptoms completely resolve. While Valley fever can result in respiratory failure in rare cases, the infection can also spread to other parts of the body, causing destruction in bones, skin, the brain or elsewhere. What is Valley Fever? How does one become infected with Valley Fever? What are spherules?

Is Valley Fever contagious? Is Valley Fever contagious from an open lesion? Is it safe for Valley Fever patients to donate their blood or organs?

It varies by blood bank. Ask your blood bank about their regulations. How do I prevent getting Valley Fever? Who gets Valley Fever? Is there a seasonal variation in the spread of Valley Fever?